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Healthy Aging Center (2023) Print
2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Transportation Systems Change
└ Transportation Systems Change
Older adults in Long Beach faced severe transportation barriers that kept many from medical care and social programs, deepening isolation after the pandemic. The Healthy Aging Center provided more than 1,000 free taxi rides for appointments, pharmacies and grocery trips, helping residents regain independence and reconnect with community resources. "This program brought me back to life... getting out of the house again after staying at home these past few years has been a blessing," said one participant. The service also improved compliance with health plans and sparked advocacy for sustainable transportation options.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Toms River, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Transportation Systems Change
Description: Older adults in Ocean and Monmouth Counties often miss routine medical care because they cannot drive and lack affordable transportation. The Healthy Hop program tackled this gap by offering free, accessible rides to appointments. In six months, more than 1,000 people enrolled and over 2,100 rides were completed, supported by volunteers and community partners. The effort eased isolation and improved health access while sparking collaboration among local groups. "Thank you so much for getting me to my appointment, I don't know what I would do without you," one participant said, underscoring the program's impact and plans to expand for people with disabilities.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Saco, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Transportation Systems Change
Description: Older residents in Saco and nearby towns struggled with limited transportation options, making it hard to reach groceries, social activities and essential programs. Age-Friendly Saco introduced an on-demand shuttle using donated vans, hired drivers and mapped routes based on community surveys. The service now provides rides for errands and social engagement, helping residents maintain independence. One rider said, "I won't drive forever... I'm glad to know this service exists," reflecting its impact on reducing isolation and meeting daily needs.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Phoenix, AZ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Transportation Systems Change
Description: Public transit gaps in Phoenix left many older adults isolated and unable to reach health care, housing and food resources. Elaine filled this void by providing 1,000 free rides for hundreds of people age 50-plus, including trips to medical visits, grocery stores and housing appointments. Drivers offered hands-on help, from carrying bags to assisting with wheelchairs, creating a safe and supportive experience. The service helped nine formerly homeless individuals secure stable housing and improved access to essentials for hundreds more. One rider shared, "I appreciate so much that this transportation is available," and shared that one of the drivers is more like a family member and friend than just a worker.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Long Beach, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: During Walk Long Beach's inaugural Ranchos Walk -- a 9.4-mile hike -- more than 400 walkers laced up their shoes and strode along the city's high ridge. Event organizers set up temporary wayfinding signs and made improvements to a crosswalk to make it more visible. Meant to raise awareness about the benefits of walking for fitness and recreation, the event introduced participants to streets and neighborhoods that many had never seen before. Stretching from Rancho Los Alamitos in the southeast to Rancho Los Cerritos in the north, the walk's route showcased Long Beach's agricultural history: The area's two original ranchos date to the 1800s. Organizers initially anticipated half as many walkers to participate, but residents of all ages flocked to the challenge. In 2021, Walk Long Beach repeated the event with the theme of women in Long Beach history.
Long Beach, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: In Long Beach, older adults lacked spaces for cultural connection in a neighborhood marked by poverty and pollution. Placemaking US built a traditional communal comal using techniques developed long ago, and hosted tortilla-making workshops where elders taught masa preparation. More than 100 participants, including local chefs and volunteers, joined intergenerational sessions that celebrated heritage and sustainability. The project created lasting programming at Rancho Los Cerritos, turning it into a hub for cultural exchange and reducing isolation. One participant shared, "I didn't realize how much I missed this until I felt the heat from the comal and smelled the fresh masa."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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